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Juniper Software License Model Overview

SUMMARY Learn about the Juniper Flex three-tier license model and find out about the Juniper license types.

Overview

The software license model is a framework, set of policies, and tools that help unify and thereby simplify Juniper product-driven licensing and packaging.

Software License Model

The major components of the framework are:

  • A focus on customer segments (enterprise, service provider, and cloud) and use cases for Juniper Networks hardware and software products.

  • The introduction of subscription licenses and subscription portability for all Juniper Networks products including Junos OS, Contrail, and Juniper cloud-based services.

  • The introduction of a common, three-tiered model (Standard, Advanced, and Premium) for all Juniper Networks software products.

Flex Three-Tier Model

As a customer ordering a Juniper Networks product under the software license model that includes hardware, you order:

  • The hardware platform that includes the Standard license.

  • The customer support package that fits your needs.

  • The Advanced or Premium subscription licenses, according to your use case. These subscription licenses include embedded customer support.

As a customer ordering a Juniper Networks software product, you order:

  • The Standard, Advanced, or Premium subscription license, according to your use case. These subscription licenses include embedded customer support.

As new hardware platforms become available under the software license model, you can customize your purchase using one of the following three tiers:

  • Standard License

    The Standard license includes the hardware platform and a license to use the software with the Standard feature set. Standard Return Material Authorization (RMA) policies apply with no changes in case of hardware failure. Customer support is ordered separately as you select your preferred hardware support policy and support for the Standard software features. For more information about support policy, see Contact Support. The hardware platform doesn't require a separate license, and the software right-to-use (RTU) license is perpetual for the licensed features.

  • Advanced License

    The Advanced license includes the subscription-based license to use the Advanced software features. The license term is 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years. Customer support for the software features is included. These features differ by use case and platform. For example, to view the list of features for the QFX devices, see QFX device class and SKUs.

  • Premium License

    The Premium license includes the subscription-based license to use the Junos OS software features. The license term is 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years. Customer support for the software features is included. These features differ by use case and platform. The Premium license is a superset and includes all the features from the Advanced license and additional features. For example, to view the list of features for the QFX devices, see QFX device class and SKUs.

    Figure 1: Three-Tier Model for the Software License Model Three-Tier Model for the Software License Model

Juniper Perpetual Licenses

All Advanced and Premium licenses are offered as perpetual licenses under the software license model.

Perpetual licenses include the following attributes:

  • The Perpetual licenses are locked to the chassis on which it is activated.

  • Perpetual licenses are not portable.

  • You must purchase support separately.

  • Premium licenses include all the features in the Premium and Advanced licenses.

  • Perpetual licenses are available in full bandwidth and pay as you grow model (PAYG).

  • In case of RMA, you can exchange the perpetual license keys to the RMA device. See Juniper RMA License Process.

Juniper Subscription Licenses

All Advanced and Premium licenses are offered as subscriptions under the software license model. Subscription licenses are available in 1-year, 3-year, or 5-year terms. After the order fulfilment, the subscription period begins after the completion of a 30-day grace period.

Table 1 describes the subscription terms for purchase and number of months to use the license.

Table 1: Subscription Terms Details

Subscription Terms

Number of Months for the License

1-year

13 months

3-year

37 months

5-year

61 months

Software subscription licenses include the following attributes:

  • Specific products might offer a subset of these licenses. At the end of the term, you have three options:

    • You can renew the subscription, to continue to use the features and scale granted under the license.

    • You can order a replacement subscription.

      Upgrading and downgrading the subscription models is supported. In both cases, subscription models are processed as a new order, and you might use the features and scale granted under the new license. For example, you have a 5-year subscription, and you want to downgrade to a 3-year subscription or the other way around.

    • You might decline to renew or purchase a replacement subscription. In this case, you may no longer use the features and scale granted under the expired subscription. You can continue to use the hardware and any software features which are granted under the perpetual license.

    • Alternatively, when an Advanced subscription term expires, your needs may require an upgrade to the Premium subscription term.

  • Subscription licenses include Juniper customer support for software features as part of the subscription license, unless customer support is provided by a Juniper partner directly. There is no need to order a separate customer support policy for the Advanced and Premium licenses.

  • Premium licenses include all the features in the Premium and Advanced licenses.

  • Subscriptions may be ordered at any time.

  • New software features may be available over time with new software versions.

  • Subscription licenses are portable for similar devices.

  • Subscriptions are cancelable at the end of the term.

  • Renewals are not automatic.

Juniper License Portability

Subscription licenses are portable. This means that if you buy a new similar hardware platform, then you can port the subscription license. You can stop using the license on one hardware platform and move it to another hardware platform. This portability allows you to balance features across hardware platforms in the network without having to buy extra feature licenses.